Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Visit United States in Effort to Mend Strained Relationship
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to visit the United States this week in an attempt to mend the strained relationship between the two countries. Wang will meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan during his visit to Washington.
The US is eager to avoid conflict with China and wants to find common ground on key issues. This visit is part of ongoing efforts to improve relations between the two nations. In recent months, other US politicians, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, have also visited China, with discussions focusing on climate change.
During the upcoming meetings between Wang and US officials, a wide range of topics are expected to be covered. These topics include the Israel-Hamas conflict, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and tensions in the South China Sea. The US has been providing military aid to Israel and Ukraine, while China has grown closer to Russia amidst the conflict in Ukraine and has called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The US hopes that China can influence Iran’s role in the region as well.
This visit by Wang to the United States is also significant as it comes ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Hopes are high for a possible meeting between President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the summit. As such, this visit serves as a precursor to potential discussions between the leaders of the two nations.
Since 2018, US-China relations have been deteriorating due to various factors, including trade disputes, tensions in Xinjiang, the militarization of the South China Sea, Taiwan’s situation, and the origin of COVID-19. US officials have expressed concerns about China’s actions in the South China Sea, particularly a recent incident involving Chinese and Philippines vessels.
A top concern for the US is re-establishing military-to-military ties with China, as well as maintaining sustained communication throughout the ranks. However, Defence Minister Li Shangfu, who is currently under a corruption probe, has snubbed US calls to meet, adding to the challenges faced in re-establishing these ties.
The visit of Wang Yi to the United States holds significant importance for both countries as they seek to improve their strained relationship. Both sides are hoping to find common ground on various geopolitical issues and pave the way for future negotiations and cooperation.
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